Photo by Rachel Walls
Photo by Eleonora Pacheco
Guest accommodation at REGUA is available at the stylish Guapi Assu Bird Lodge. The lodge is of a very high standard and all rooms are fully equipped with air-conditioning, electricity and hot water. All of the rooms overlook the gardens and the two upstairs rooms each have a large private balcony complete with a superb mountain vista. The comfortable spacious lounge has its own library containing an impressive collection of books and journals on birds and other wildlife. A laundry service is available as well as internet facilities at the REGUA office nearby.
The lodge setting is absolutely stunning and certain to be one of the highlights of your trip - located on top of a small hill directly overlooking the reserve´s wetlands and the rainforested slopes of the Serra dos Orgãos mountain range. The beautifully maintained lodge gardens provide superb birding right on your doorstep and there are numerous bird feeders which provide great photographic opportunities. The reserve has a very extensive trail network ranging from lowland forest and wetland around the lodge to high altitude habitats containing Primary Rainforest, Elfin Forest and unspoilt waterfalls. The reserve´s bird list now stands at over 430 species and includes no less than 120 endemics.
To relax after a day in the field you can take a dip in the pool, watch hummingbirds from the sun loungers or sit and watch the sun set over the mountains while seated on the veranda enjoying the local Brazilian drink, a Caipirinha.
Fully inclusive, excellent local cuisine is provided and for birders early breakfasts are available on request and packed lunches can be provided for all day trips.
The lodge is located only two hours from Rio de Janeiro International airport (pick up and drop can be arranged for an additional cost of US$150) and day trips into Rio can easily be organized.
Rates and Booking Information
The lodge comprises of four double ensuite rooms and two single rooms with a shared bathroom. There is also another room available for guides or tour leaders. The Lodge can accommodate small groups of four or more up to a maximum of 12, although individuals and couples booking are also welcome.
The cost per person per night is US$80 and is fully inclusive with breakfast, cooked or packed lunch, dinner plus all juice drinks. For laundry there is a small additional charge.
A 20% discount is available for bookings of five or more nights, or for groups of four or more people. Please contact us for details.
A bird guide is available from Monday to Wednesday and can be hired at US$80 per day. We recommend that you book well in advance to ensure availability. REGUA is the only patrolled reserve in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and so there are also local rangers available to accompany you on the trails. They have an outstanding knowledge of the birds and other wildlife as well as the trail network and although they can only speak Portugese, they can very adept at finding and showing people wildlife. This service is highly recommended, free and can be arranged during your stay.
The lodge is also the perfect base to explore sites outside REGUA and a number of day trips can be arranged during your stay or in advance. The cost of a driver and transportation is US$80 per day.
Payment is accepted by US Dollars, Pound Sterling, Euro and Brazilian Reais.
Additional information on the lodge is available on the Guapi Assu Bird Lodge website.
For those wishing to visit independently please click on this link to view our suggested five day birding itinerary.